Memphis

Memphis is pretty much all about the music. Elvis, BB King, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbitson, the blues, neophytes, would bes and a few has beens. Yesterday we started on Beale Street, several blocks long and full of clubs. Dinner at Blues City Cafe, catfish and ribs. After dark, Beale St. is shut to vehicles and becomes one big block party. All the clubs open to the street and everyone enjoys jamming bands, with plenty of beverages to go around. After sampling the length of Beale, we went into BBKing Blues Club and enjoyed an awesome band. What energy! Set the tone for our visit.



Check out the sign over the cook in the pic below. "Danger, Men Cooking"





Ray at Sun Studio

Even though it was about 100 degrees and 100 percent humidity at 9 this morning we boarded the trolley for Sun Studios. Elvis, Johnny Cash etc recorded at this tiny studio a mile or so from the center of Memphis. Many got their start at this hole in the wall. Trollied back to the hotel.

Wanting to do it all we then got on a barely air conditioned bus with plush seats at high noon and headed to Graceland, a fifteen minute ride. There we joined the throngs waiting to visit this national shrine. It was still only 100 degrees and the hour passed by quickly. Well, it was worth the torture. Graceland was just plain cool. Untouched since 1977, when Elvis died. Lots of audio and video clips. Great stuff.


Four hours later we were back just in time to walk down to the river and catch the river boat ride for cocktails and an entertaining tour of the Mississippi. It was a lovely warm breeze and we completely relaxed.

Tomorrow we head out again and will land in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Fort Smith you ask? It's the second biggest city in Arkansas and just the right number of miles along the route for a stop.